From Hollywood Glamour to Quiet Retreat: The Story of Alain Delon
Once celebrated as one of the most handsome men in Hollywood, Alain Delon now lives a much quieter life after a stroke. The 88-year-old French actor, who was once the epitome of elegance and charm, now spends his days away from the spotlight, residing in seclusion.
Alain Delon’s life took a significant turn after he suffered a stroke in 2019. Just weeks before this health scare, he had received an honorary Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, a testament to his illustrious career.
Delon now lives in a grand estate known as La Brûlerie, located in central France’s Loire department, near the small town of Douchy-Montcorbon. His property is surrounded by a 2.4-mile (2.3 km) stone wall, providing him with privacy. His home is not just a place of retreat but also the site of his planned resting place. He has even built a cemetery on his estate, where more than thirty of his beloved dogs are buried.
Despite his retreat to France, Delon splits his time between his home in Douchy, an apartment in Geneva, and a workspace in Paris. However, his reclusive lifestyle doesn’t mean he’s free from family drama.
Delon’s three children—Anthony, Alain-Fabien, and Anouchka—have been embroiled in public disputes over their father’s health and wealth. The family’s conflicts have sparked media attention, with accusations and legal battles making headlines.
Christophe Ayela, Delon’s lawyer, has stepped in to mediate the tensions. “It must end, and everyone must become calm. That’s enough for now,” Ayela stated firmly.
Adding to the family drama, Delon has made it clear that he has a favorite among his children. He once confessed, “I have a daughter who is the love of my life, maybe a little too much in comparison to the others.” In past interviews, he also mentioned, “I have said I love you to no other woman so often,” suggesting a deep bond with his daughter, Anouchka. Observers believe this favoritism might be a source of friction with his sons.
Anouchka, in turn, has shown her deep affection for her father. Recently, she shared a heartfelt tribute to him on Instagram. She posted a photo of her father and wrote, “Friday morning I took a picture of my dad, for myself. A remembrance of our times. Breakfast with him fills me with unending gratitude. A singularly lovely moment.” She described him as “handsome” and praised his “vivid” and “fighting” spirit, ending with, “My personal eternal.”
Alain Delon’s reclusive life has also led to concerns about his well-being. In March, his children requested a “reinforced curatorship” for him, which was granted on April 4. This means a curator will now oversee Delon’s finances and health care. It’s still unclear who this curator will be—whether it will be someone close to him like Hiromi Rollin, his “lady in waiting,” or one of his children.
The future of Alain’s business, Alain Delon International Diffusion SA, where he is president and Anouchka is vice president, is also uncertain. With the curatorship in place, Delon will no longer be able to make decisions for the company.
Despite these challenges, Delon remains focused on his passion. He revealed in a 2021 interview that he dreams of making one final film, which he hopes will be his best yet. Reflecting on his career, he said, “In my life what I loved most was being Alain Delon, the actor Alain Delon.” He added, “Observe Purple Noon and Rocco [And His Brothers]! Every woman was enamored with me.”
Delon’s journey from a glamorous Hollywood star to a reclusive elder is a testament to the complexities of fame and family. As he navigates these final chapters of his life, he continues to inspire and captivate those who remember his legendary career.
